Hazards of Hexavalent Chromium in the Workplace

DisclaimerThis material was produced under grant number SH-22248-11-60-F-54

from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial

products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

• Identify hexavalent chromium exposures in industry

• Describe health effects of hexavalent chromium

• Identify engineering controls to limit exposure

• Describe work practice controls to limit exposure

• Determine type of respirator usage

• A toxic form of chromium metal used in many industrial applications, primarily for its anti-corrosive properties.

• May be generated during welding on stainless steel or metal coated with chromate paint.

• Used in electroplating (chrome plating).

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Product Types of Hexavalent Chromium Chemicals

pigments in paints, inks, and plastics

lead chromate (chrome yellow, chrome green, molybdenum orange) zinc chromate barium chromate calcium chromate potassium dichromate sodium chromate

anti-corrosion coatings (chrome plating, spray coatings)

chromic trioxide (chromic acid) zinc chromate barium chromate calcium chromate sodium chromate strontium chromate

stainless steel and other high chromium alloys

hexavalent chromium (when cast, welded, or torch cut)

textile dyesammonium dichromate potassium chromate potassium dichromate sodium chromate

wood preservation chromium trioxide

leather tanning ammonium dichromate

Products that contain hexavalent chromium

• Chrome plating or electroplating

• Welding or cutting on stainless steel.

• Grinding on object with chromate paint.

• Painting operations and paint removal.

• Glass manufacturing

Inhalation of dust, mist or fumes containing hex chrome or formation of hex chrome from hot processes.

Eye or skin contact with liquids or dust containing hex chrome.

• Lung cancer

• Nasal septum ulcers or perforations

• Bronchitis or asthma

• Skin effects “chrome hole”

• Cancer risk from Cr (VI) at new PEL is higher than asbestos and benzene risk at their PELs– Asbestos: 6.7 deaths per 1000 workers– Benzene: 10 deaths per 1000 workers– Chrome VI: 10-45 excess lung cancer deaths per 1000

workers for 45 years of exposure at new PEL of 5 ug/m3

• This is the most important slide of the presentation– The health risks of Hex Chrome at the PEL are greater

than Asbestos or Benzene at their PEL

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) – 8 hour average exposure limit

5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in air

Action level (AL) 2.5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³) in air

If initial air monitoring concentration is:

– Below the AL

– At or above AL

– Above the PEL

Then:

– No further monitoring

– Monitor every 6 months

– Monitor every 3 months

An area wherever an employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of chromium 6 is, or can be expected to be, in excess of the PEL.

•The employer shall ensure that regulated areas are demarcated from the rest of the workplace.

•The employer shall limit access to regulated areas to:– Persons authorized by the employer and required by work duties to

be present in the regulated area– Designated representative of employees for the purpose of observing

monitoring procedures.

• Exhaust ventilation is the most common way to reduce airborne exposure of chrome 6.

• Place the exhaust duct close the welding point to effectively capture the most fume.

• Other types of engineering controls can be used.

• Always wear your respirator in the areas where it is required.

• Don’t eat, drink or smoke in the area where there is chrome 6.

• When you take a break, wash your hands before eating, drinking or smoking.

• Keep your head out of the plume.• Use available local exhaust

ventilation at all times.• Welding on stainless steel in a

confined space will likely require both exhaust ventilation and the use of a respirator.

List worksite specific work practices that reduce or control exposures.

The employer shall provide respiratory protection for employees during:

(1) Time needed to install or implement feasible engineering and work practice controls;

(2) Work operations for which engineering and work practice controls are not feasible;

(3) Work operations where all feasible engineering and work practice controls and such controls are not sufficient to reduce exposures to or below the PEL;

(4) Work operations where employees are exposed above the PEL for fewer than 30 days per year, and the employer has elected not to implement engineering and work practice controls to achieve the PEL; or

(5) Emergencies.

When respirators are required, a respirator program will be followed that meets the requirements of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard 1910.134

• Respirators must be worn at all times when chrome 6 is above PEL.

• Must fit properly to prevent leaks.– Must have a fit test– No beards

• Must have a respirator medical evaluation.

List or describe what respirators must be used under what conditions, job tasks, or locations.

• Employer will provide PPE where skin or eye contact with chrome 6 is present or likely to be present.

• PPE may include goggles, gloves, helmet, coveralls.

• Remove all PPE after work is completed and don’t wear or take it home.

• Don’t remove chrome 6 from clothing by blowing (compressed air) or shaking or any means that disperses it into the air.

• Employer must launder, repair and replace protective clothing for you.

Where protective clothing is required and skin contact with chrome 6 may occur, employers must provide:– Change rooms with separate storage facilities for

work clothes and street clothes.– Washing facilities to be

used to wash hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking and at the end of the work shift.

• All surfaces are maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of chromium 6.

• All spills and releases of chromium 6 containing material are cleaned up promptly.

• Cleaned by HEPA-filter vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure to chromium 6.

• Waste, scrap, debris, and any other materials contaminated with chromium 6 are disposed of in sealed, impermeable bags or containers.

• Employer must provide medical exams for all employees:– Who are or may be occupationally exposed to

chromium 6 at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year;

– Experiencing signs or symptoms of the adverse health effects associated with chromium 6 exposure; or

– Exposed in an emergency.

• Within 30 days after initial assignment• Annually• Within 30 days after a doctor recommends

additional exams• When employees shows signs or symptoms of

chrome 6 exposure• Within 30 days after exposure during an

emergency.• At the termination of employment

• Medical and work history– Cr(VI) exposure (past, present, future)– History of respiratory system dysfunction– History of asthma, dermatitis, skin

ulceration or nasal system perforation– Smoking status and history

• Physical examination, with emphasis on the respiratory tract and skin

• Any additional tests deemed appropriate by the healthcare professional

You have the right to see any of your medical records related to chrome 6.

You also have the right to see results of any air sampling done, or other chrome exposure date.